Spatial analysis of reported new cases and local risk of leprosy in hyper-endemic situation in Northeastern Brazil.

Objective: To analyse the spatial distribution of the incidence of leprosy and identify areas at risk for occurrences of hyper-endemic disease in Northeastern Brazil.

Methods: Ecological study using municipalities as the analysis unit. Data on new cases of leprosy came from the Health Hazard Notification System (SINAN).

An evaluation of the Sinan health information system as used by the Hansen's disease control programme, Pernambuco State, Brazil.

Background: Since the introduction of the national notifiable diseases information system (SINAN) in Pernambuco State, Brazil, in 1994, many problems have been encountered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the SINAN software, quality of data input, the transfer of the computerised data from the municipality to state levels, human resources and other factors associated with the health information system infrastructure (HIS).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Pernambuco state, North-eastern Brazil, in 2005.